• Mason defeated Penn 3-1 behind an outstanding offensive effort by the Patriots.
• In her first start of the season, senior Maddie French had a career-high 15 kills and 15.5 points.
• Middle blocker Peyton Ehmke collected a career-high 13 kills for a hitting percentage of .385.

FINAL: Mason 3, Penn 1 (PDF BOX Score)
 Maddie French – 15 kills;  Emily Konchan 43 assists; Catie Espinoza – 17 digs.
 
Fairfax, Va. – George Mason University women's volleyball team won its first game of the season against Penn, 3-1 (25-19, 21-25, 25-21, 25-19). The Patriots are starting the Georgetown Classic with a 1-0 record.

"It was a great team effort  today from everyone who started to everyone coming off the bench," said Coach Ilkson. "We served really tough and were able to get them out of system a good amount. I'm very happy with how Emily directed our offense today and how our hitters are rising to the occasion to be ready and available when needed."
 
Coach Ilkson debuted a new starting lineup for the Patriots, including freshman ShaLi Niu making her first collegiate start. Niu excelled on the court, contributing 7 kills for the Patriots.
 
The opening set saw a tight game between the Patriots and Quakers early on, but with two three-point runs, the Patriots claimed a lead of 11-9. Later in the set, back-to-back kills by Katrina Santos extended Mason's lead, 18-14, and the Patriots never looked back for the rest of the set – winning 25-19.
 
A three-point run helped the Patriots take an early lead in the second set but Penn battled back to tie the set 12-12. Mason went on another three-point run to open its lead 15-12, but Penn would not go away so easily. The Quakers went on a six-point run that ultimately lifted them over the Patriots – winning 25-21.
 
In the third set, the Patriots jumped out to an early lead thanks to three-straight aces by sophomore Emily Konchan. Mason maintained its lead throughout the third set until a four-point run by Penn cut the Patriots' lead to 18-16. The Green & Gold never trailed during the set – winning 25-21.
 
In the final set, Mason's offensive attack once again allowed them to jump out to a lead of 6-1. Penn went on a run of its own to cut Mason's lead to 9-8. The Patriots' attack proved to be too much for the Quakers as they won the final set, 25-17.
 
NOTABLE STATS

• Mason registered seven service aces to Penn's four service aces.
• Emily Konchan had a career-high 4 service aces and 43 assists. The last time Mason had 40+ assists in a game was last season at Duquesne by Konchan (41).
• Libero Catie Espinoza collected 17 digs, now putting her six away from breaking into the top-five all-time career digs list.